Furniture construction

ABSTRACT

An article of furniture having a pair of end sections, cushion support means removably mounted between said end sections and supporting the end sections in a spaced-apart relation, and cushion means removably received by the cushion support means.

United States Patent Omlie [4 1 May 16,1972

54] FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION 3,126,229 3/1964 Dickerson......

3,182,769 5/1965 DeRidder....

[72] Inventor: Donald E. Omlie, 8698 E. Robinwood Cr., 3,093,410 6/1963 Utica, Mich. 48087 Sept. 23, 1970 Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney-Rommel & Rommel 22 Filed:

Appl. No.:

ABSTRACT An article of furniture having a pair of end sections, cushion .297/440, 297/446, 29 7/461 .A47 7/00, A47 7/20, A47 4/02 support means removably mounted between said end sections 197/] 19 440 445 450 452 and supporting the end sections in a spaced-apart relation, and cushion means removably received by the cushion support means.

[52] US. [51] Int. [58] Field ofSearch.................

297/455, DIG. 2; 46/30; 287/l89.36

2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,988,844 Frimberger .....................297/440 UX PATENTEDMAY 16 I972 SHEET 1 UF 2 INVENIOR ATTOR KEY} PATENTEDMAY 1 6 m2 SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR Donald E. Omlie ATTORNEY) FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION This invention relates to improvements in furniture construction. The invention was primarily developed to provide toy furniture for use in doll houses and the like, but it is obvious that its use is not so limited.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of fumiture which may be readily assembled by children or other inexperienced persons.

A further object is the provision of furniture construction which may be easily modified to provide furniture of different lengths.

A further object is to provide a furniture construction in which the parts thereof may be readily removably attached to one another, and wherein the assembled piece of furniture comprises a substantially structurally sound unitary article.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a portion of this specification, and in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair constructed and assembled according to my invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the end sections and cushion support means of the chair of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the chair of FIG. 1, looking toward the right hand end thereof.

FIG. 4 is a love seat constructed and assembled according to my invention.

FIG. 5 is a couch constructed and assembled according to my invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing use of end sections and a cushion support means that may be used to provide a hassock or footstool according to my invention.

FIG. 7 is a bench constructed and assembled according to my invention.

FIG. 8 is a bed constructed and assembled according to my invention.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred and modified embodiments of the invention, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter may generally designate the chair as shown in FIGS. 1-3; B the love seat of FIG. 4; C the couch of FIG. 5; D the hassock of FIG. 6; E the bench ofFIG. 7;'and F the bed ofFIG. 8. Each of the forms A-C include a pair of end sections G, the forms D-F apair of end sections H, and forms A-F include cushion support means I and cushion means J End sections G preferably include a right hand end section and a left hand end section 16. Each end section 15 and 16 preferably include a seat portion 20 which may have depending front and rear legs 21 and 22 and a back portion 23. As shown, back portion 23 is rigid with seat portion 20, however, it is obvious that the same could be pivotally or foldably interconnected to seat portion 20, to provide a conventionally reclining chair in which the back portion is adjustable to different positions of inclination. In the form shown, seat portion 20 and back portion 23 have a common wall portion 26.

Right and left hand end sections 15 and 16 each preferably include spaced apart attaching means 30 and 31 on inner face 28 of wall portion 26 of seat portion 20 and spaced apart attaching means 32 and 33 on inner face 28 of wall portion 26 of back portion 23. Each said attachingmeans 30-33 preferably comprises a substantially L-shaped flange member including leg portions 34 and 35. The leg portions 34 of each pair of attaching means 30, 31 and 32, 33 are preferably arranged to be co-planar, with leg portions 35 upstanding therefrom at the outer edges thereof.

Cushion support means I of form A of the invention preferably comprises a seat cushion support means 40 and a back cushion support means 41. Each seat and back cushion support means 40 and 41 preferably include a main wall portion 42 having upturned opposite side wall portions 43 and 44. Main wall portion 42 preferably includes a pair of spaced apart connector or attaching means 45 and 46 adjacent each end thereof for cooperation with an attaching means of an end section in mounting a cushion support means therebetween. The form shown is an extruded member having an attaching means which is continuous from end to end of main wall portion 42, thus providing a connector means adjacent each end of main wall portion 42. It is, of course, within the scope of the invention to provide separate connector means adjacent each end of main wall portion 42.

Attaching means 45 and 46 preferably each includes a groove portion 47 that have opposite opening mouth portions 50 and 51, mouth 50 opening toward side wall 43 and mouth 51 opening toward side wall Cushion support means I of form A is interconnected to each end section G with leg portions 34 of each attaching means 30-33 being respectively received within a groove portion 47, legs 35 upstanding from a respective mouth 50 or 51 thereof to provide an abutment which prevents lateral movement of the cushion support means with respect to its attached end section. Each groove portion 47 preferably has a slightly narrower opening at its mouth portion 50 or 51 than the thickness of the leg 34 received therein. Accordingly, groove portions 47 exert a clamping action on the leg 34 which is inserted therewithin, inhibiting movement apart of the end sections from each other and from the cushion support means.

Interconnection of cushion support means I between end sections G provides a pocket 55, one for each the seat portion and the back portion thereof, within which may be received a cushion means J. Side walls 43 and 44 are preferably angled slightly inwardly toward each other, so that the outmost ends thereof are spaced apart a distance less than the width of a cushion means J, in order to removably retain cushion means J within pocket 55.

Cushion means J preferably comprises a substantially polygonal member including a main body portion 60 having a pair of side wall portions 61 and 62 and a pair of end wall portions 63 and 64. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, cushion means J is preferably inserted within pockets 55 of both the seat portion and back portion with end wall portions 63 and 64 in substantial abutment with an inner face 28 of a wall portion 26 of an end section G, and each of the side wall portions 61 and 62 in respective abutment with a side wall portion 43 and 44 of cushion support means I. As previously specified, the inward inclination of side walls 43 and 44 of cushion support means I exert a clamping action on side walls 61 and 62 for retention of cushion means J within a pocket 55.

Cushion means J of form A of the invention preferably include a seat cushion 66 and a back cushion 67.

In form B of the invention, end sections 15 and 16 are used to support therebetween a seat cushion support means 70 and a back cushion support means 71 which are identical to seat cushion support means 40 and back cushion support means 41 except that they are slightly more elongated, to provide an elongate pocket 73 which permits seat cushion support means 70 to receive two seat cushions 75 and 76 and back cushion support means 71 to receive two back cushions 77 and 78. Each cushion 75-78 may be identical to cushion means J as previously described in connection with form A.

In form C of the invention, end sections 15 and 16 are used to support therebetween a seat cushion support means 80 and a back cushion support means 81 which are identical to seat cushion support means 40 and back cushion support means 41 except that they are even more elongated than seat cushion support means 70 and back cushion support means 71, providing an elongated pocket 83 which permits seatcushion support means 80 to receive three seat cushions 84, 85 and 86, and back cushion support means 81 to receive three back cushions 87, 88 and 89. Each cushion 84-89 may be identical to cushion means J as previously described in connection with form A.

End sections H preferably include a right hand end section 90 and a left hand end section 91, each including spaced apart attaching means 92 and 93 on innerface 94 of wall portion 95. Each attaching means 92 and 93 preferably comprise a substantially L-shaped flange member including leg portions 98 and 99. The leg portions 98 of each attaching means 92 and 93 are preferably arranged to be co-planar, with leg portions 99 upstanding therefrom at the outer edges thereof. Each end section 90 and 91 may have depending front and rear legs 100 and 101.

Cushion support means I of form D of the 'invention preferably comprises a seat cushion support means 105 which may be identical to either seat cushion support means 40 or back cushion support means 41 of form A. Reference characters have thus been applied to seat cushion support means 105 which are identical to those applied to cushion support means I of form A of the invention.

Cushion support means 1 of form D of the invention is interconnected to each end section H with leg portions 98 of attaching means 92 and 93 being respectively received within a groove portion 47, legs 99 upstanding from a respective mouth 50 or 51 thereof to provide an abutment which prevents lateral movement of the cushion support means with respect to its attached end section. Each groove portion 47 preferably has a slightly narrower opening at its mouth portion 50 or 51 than the thickness of the leg 98 received therein. Accordingly, groove portions 47 exerts a clamping action on the leg 98 which is inserted therewithin, inhibiting movement of the end sections from each other and from the cushion support means.

Interconnection of cushion support means I between end sections H provides a pocket 106 within which may be received a cushion means J. As previously described, side walls 40'and 43 are preferably angled slightly inward toward each other, in order to movably retain cushion means J within pocket 106, in a manner as previously described in connection with form A.

- ln form E of the invention, end sections 90 and 91are used to supporttherebetween a seat cushion support means 110 which is identical to seat cushion support means 105 except that it is slightly more elongated, providing an elongated pocket 111 which permits seat cushion support means 110 to receive two seat cushions 112 and 1.13. Each seat cushion 112 and 113 is identical to cushion means J as previously described in connection with form A.

In form F of the invention, end sections 90 and 91 are used to support therebetween a seat cushion support means 115 which is identical to seat cushion support means 110 except that it is slightly more elongated, to provide a still more elongated pocket 116 which permits seat cushion support means 115 to receive three seat cushions 117, 118, and 119. Each cushion 1 17-119 is identical to cushion means J as previously described in connection with form A.

It is obvious that end sections G and H may be formed differently than as shown and described herein, for instance having a rocker support; that cushion support means I may be varied, for instance, to provide an even more elongated support; and that cushion means J may be varied, for instance, such as to include padding or other conventional seat material.

Various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be made to the forms of the invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An article of furniture including a pair of end sections, cushion support means, and cushion means, said end sections including a wall portion having attaching means for removable attachment thereto of said cushion support means extendant therebetween, said cushion support means including a main wall portion having upturned opposite side wall portions and attaching means for cooperation with said first mentioned attaching means in removable attachment of said cushion support means to said end section, said main wall portion and said side wall portions extending substantially from the wall portion of one end section to the wall portion of the other end section, said wall portions of said end sections and main wall portion and side wall portions of said cushion support means defining a pocket for receiving said cushion means, said cushion means comprising a substantially polygonal member having a main body portion provided with a pair of side wall portions and a pair of end wall portions, said cushion means removably interfitting within said pocket with each of said end wall portions thereof in substantial abutment with a wall portion of one of said end sections and each of said side wall portions in abutment with a sidewall portion of said cushion support means, said side wall portions of said cushion support member being angled inwardly in a direction toward each other to provide sides for said pocket wherein the outer edge thereof is spaced apartv a distance less than the distance between said side wall portions of said cushion and having a sufficiently flexible interconnection with said main wall portion to enable the same to be spread apart to receive said cushion therebetween and to releasably engage said cushion means in retention thereof within said pocket.

2. An article of furniture including a pair of end sections, cushion support means, and cushion means, saidend sections including a wall portion having attaching means for removable attachment thereto of said cushion support means extendant therebetween, said cushion support means including a main wall portion having upturned opposite side wall portions and attaching means for cooperation with said first mentioned attaching means in removable attachment of said cushion sup-.

port means to said end section, said main wall portion and said side wall portions extending substantially from the wall portion of one end section to the wall portion of the other end section, said wall portions of said end sections and main wall portion and side wall portions of said cushion support means defining a pocket for receiving said cushion means, said cushion means being removably mounted in said pocket, said attaching means of each end section including at least a pair of spaced apart substantially L-shaped flange members extending outwardly from the inner face of said wall portion of an end section, said L-shaped members of each said end section having inner facing co-planar leg portions and outer leg portions, and said attaching means of said cushion support means comprises connector means at each end thereof for cooperation with an attaching means of an end section, each said connector means including at least a pair of spaced apart groove portions having opposite opening mouth portions, a pair of said groove portions being disposed to receive a pair of said L- shaped flange members with said co-planar leg portions of said L-shaped members received within said groove portions and said outer upstanding leg portions extending outwardly from said groove portions in a manner to prevent removal of said cushion support means from said end sections in a manner other than by moving apart of said end sections in withdrawal of said L-shaped members from said groove portions. 

1. An article of furniture including a pair of end sections, cushion support means, and cushion means, said end sections including a wall portion having attaching means for removable attachment thereto of said cushion support means extendant therebetween, said cushion support means including a main wall portion having upturned opposite side wall portions and attaching means for cooperation with said first mentioned attaching means in removable attachment of said cushion support means to said end section, said main wall portion and said side wall portions extending substantially from the wall portion of one end section to the wall portion of the other end section, said wall portions of said end sections and main wall portion and side wall portions of said cushion support means defining a pocket for receiving said cushion means, said cushion means comprising a substantially polygonal member having a main body portion provided with a pair of side wall portions and a pair of end wall portions, said cushion means removably interfitting within said pocket with each of said end wall portions thereof in substantial abutment with a wall portion of one of said end sections and each of said side wall portions in abutment with a side wall portion of said cushion support means, said side wall portions of said cushion support member being angled inwardly in a direction toward each other to provide sides for said pocket wherein the outer edge thereof is spaced apart a distance less than the distance between said side wall portions of said cushion and having a sufficiently flexible interconnection with said main wall portion to enable the same to be spread apart to receive said cushion therebetween and to releasably engage said cushion means in retention thereof within said pocket.
 2. An article of furniture including a pair of end sections, cushion support means, and cushion means, said end sections including a wall portion having attaching means for removable attachment thereto of said cushion support means extendant therebetween, said cushion support means including a main wall portion having upturned opposite side wall portions and attaching means for cooperation with said first mentioned attaching means in removable attachment of said cushion support means to said end section, said main wall portion and said side wall portions extending substantially from the wall portion of one end section to the wall portion of the other end section, said wall portions of said end sections and main wall portion and side wall portions of said cushion support means defining a pocket for receiving said cushion means, said cushion means being removably mounted in said pocket, said attaching means of each end section including at least a pair of spaced apart substantially L-shaped flange members extending outwardly from the inner face of said wall portion of an end section, said L-shaped members of each said end section having inner facing co-planar leg portions and outer leg portions, and said attaching means of said cushion support means comprises connector means at each end thereof for cooperation with an attaching means of an end section, each said connector means including at least a pair of spaced apart groove portions having opposite opening mouth portions, a pair of said groove portions being disposed to receive a pair of said L-shaped flange members with said co-planar leg portions of said L-shaped members received within said groove portions and said outer upstanding leg portions extending outwardly from said groove portions in a manner to prevent removal of said cushion support means from said end sections in a manner other than by moving apart of said end sections in withdrawal of said L-shaped members from said groove portions. 